Would you hear of an old-fashion’d sea-fight?
Would you learn who won by the light of the moon and stars? List to the story as my grandmother’s father, the sailor, told it to me.
[35.1]
Our foe was no skulk in his ship, I tell you, (said he;)
His was the surly English pluck —and there is no tougher or truer, and never was, and never will be; 900
Along the lower’d eve he came, horribly raking us.
[35.2]
We closed with him—the yards entangled —the cannon touch’d;
My captain lash’d fast with his own hands.
[35.3]
We had receiv’d some eighteen pound shots under the water;
On our lower-gun-deck two large pieces had burst at the first fire, killing all around, and blowing up overhead. 905
[35.4]
Fighting at sun-down, fighting at dark;
Ten o’clock at night, the full moon well up, our leaks on the gain , and five feet of water reported;
The master-at-arms loosing the prisoners confined in the afterhold , to give them a chance for themselves.
[35.5]
The transit to and from the magazine is now stopt by the sentinels,
They see so many strange faces, they do not know whom to trust. 910
[35.6]
Our frigate takes fire;
The other asks if we demand quarter ?
If our colors are struck , and the fighting is done?
[35.7]
Now I laugh content, for I hear the voice of my little captain,
We have not struck , he composedly cries, we have just begun our part of the fighting. 915
[35.8]
Only three guns are in use;
One is directed by the captain himself against the enemy’s mainmast ;
Two, well served with grape and canister , silence his musketry and clear his decks.
[35.9]
The tops alone second the fire of this little battery , especially the main-top;
They hold out bravely during the whole of the action. 920
[35.10]
Not a moment’s cease;
The leaks gain fast on the pumps—the fire eats toward the powder-magazine .
[35.11]
One of the pumps has been shot away—it is generally thought we are sinking.
[35.12]
Serene stands the little captain;
He is not hurried—his voice is neither high nor low; 925
His eyes give more light to us than our battle-lanterns.
[35.13]
Toward twelve at night, there in the beams of the moon, they surrender to us.
[35.14]
35.
Would you hear of an old-fashion’d sea-fight?
Would you learn who won by the light of the moon and stars?
List to the story as my grandmother’s father, the sailor, told it to me.
[35.1]
Our foe was no skulk in his ship, I tell you, (said he;)
His was the surly English pluck —and there is no tougher or truer, and never was, and never will be; 900
Along the lower’d eve he came, horribly raking us.
[35.2]
We closed with him—the yards entangled —the cannon touch’d;
My captain lash’d fast with his own hands.
[35.3]
We had receiv’d some eighteen pound shots under the water;
On our lower-gun-deck two large pieces had burst at the first fire, killing all around, and blowing up overhead. 905
[35.4]
Fighting at sun-down, fighting at dark;
Ten o’clock at night, the full moon well up, our leaks on the gain , and five feet of water reported;
The master-at-arms loosing the prisoners confined in the afterhold , to give them a chance for themselves.
[35.5]
The transit to and from the magazine is now stopt by the sentinels,
They see so many strange faces, they do not know whom to trust. 910
[35.6]
Our frigate takes fire;
The other asks if we demand quarter ?
If our colors are struck , and the fighting is done?
[35.7]
Now I laugh content, for I hear the voice of my little captain,
We have not struck , he composedly cries, we have just begun our part of the fighting. 915
[35.8]
Only three guns are in use;
One is directed by the captain himself against the enemy’s mainmast ;
Two, well served with grape and canister , silence his musketry and clear his decks.
[35.9]
The tops alone second the fire of this little battery , especially the main-top;
They hold out bravely during the whole of the action. 920
[35.10]
Not a moment’s cease;
The leaks gain fast on the pumps—the fire eats toward the powder-magazine .
[35.11]
One of the pumps has been shot away—it is generally thought we are sinking.
[35.12]
Serene stands the little captain;
He is not hurried—his voice is neither high nor low; 925
His eyes give more light to us than our battle-lanterns.
[35.13]
Toward twelve at night, there in the beams of the moon, they surrender to us.
[35.14]
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